it ‧ self S1 W1 /ɪtˈself/ BrE AmE pronoun [reflexive form of ‘it’]
1 . used to show that a thing, organization, animal, or baby that does something is affected by its own action:
The cat lay on the sofa, washing itself.
The machine switches itself off when the process is complete.
a small local enterprise that has transformed itself into a highly successful company
2 . used to emphasize that you are talking about one particular thing, organization etc:
We’ve checked the wiring, so the problem may be the television itself.
3 . in/of itself considered separately from any other facts:
There is a slight infection in the lung, which in itself is not serious.
4 . (all) by itself
a) alone:
Will the dog be safe left in the car by itself?
b) without help or without a person making it work:
The door seemed to open all by itself.
5 . (all) to itself not shared with other things:
This idea deserves a chapter to itself.
6 . be patience/kindness/simplicity etc itself to be very patient, kind, simple etc:
Loading the software is simplicity itself.